
YOUR JOURNEY BACK TO THE WILD STARTS HERE
Catch N Cook California is a premier outdoor education experience rooted in the ancient art of foraging - defined holistically as the practice of harvesting wild ingredients rather than cultivating them, and the foundation of all human subsistence for tens of thousands of years.
Led by California native and PhD archeologist Kevin Smith, our classes are more than adventures - they are immersive journeys into foraging autonomy, outdoor proficiency, and sustainable living. With a lifetime of foraging experience and deep research in the lifeways of California’s Indigenous hunter-gatherers, Kevin brings rare cultural insight to every tidepool, forest, and shoreline. Whether you’re learning to identify edible mushrooms, fish the rugged coast, freedive for sea urchin, or gather wild plants, each hands-on experience is designed to reconnect you to the land and sea. You'll gain practical skills in harvesting, processing, and in many cases, preparing your catch - always with respect for seasonality, safety, and ecological stewardship.
We offer group workshops, private bookings, and seasonal courses from Southern to Northern California, always in small group settings to ensure personalized instruction and minimal environmental impact. All experiences follow Leave No Trace ethics and sustainable harvesting practices.
Keep the Old Ways Alive - one wild meal at a time.
BUILD YOUR OUTDOOR SKILLSET
Take one of our classes with our outdoor expert, Kevin, as seen on Catch N Cook California from Youtube.
READ THE LATEST NEWS
Read up on the latest posts covering sustainable foraging practices, tips and tricks, recent adventures, and more!
MAKE CONNECTIONS
Join our community of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts and post your own catch and cook adventures!
- Introductory Freedive-Spearfishing MontereyFri, Sep 19Monterey
- Introductory Freedive-Spearfishing MontereyFri, Sep 19Monterey
- Jetty Fishing: Half Moon BaySat, Sep 20Half Moon Bay
- Introductory Freedive-Spearfishing MontereySat, Sep 27Monterey
- Introductory Freedive-Spearfishing MontereySat, Sep 27Monterey
- Shore Fishing: (Perch and Rockfish), San Mateo CoastSun, Sep 28San Mateo County
- Introductory Freedive-Spearfishing MontereySun, Sep 28Monterey
- Coastal Foraging (Eels, Rock Crab...) Santa Cruz CoastTue, Oct 07Davenport
- Coastal Foraging (Eels, rock crab...), Half Moon Bay/PacificaWed, Oct 08Half Moon Bay
- Private Foray: Coastal Foraging, San Mateo CoastThu, Oct 09Half Moon Bay
- Private Freedive-Spearfishing MontereySat, Oct 18Monterey
- Intermediate Freedive-Spearfishing (fish/scallop/Uni/lobster), Palos VerdesThu, Oct 23Rancho Palos Verdes
- Introductory Freedive-Spearfishing, Los AngelesThu, Oct 23Los Angeles
- Intermediate Freedive-Spearfishing (fish/scallop/Uni/lobster), Palos VerdesFri, Oct 24Rancho Palos Verdes
- Introductory Freedive-Spearfishing, Los AngelesFri, Oct 24Los Angeles
- Intermediate Freedive-Spearfishing (fish/scallop/Uni/lobster), Palos VerdesSat, Oct 25Rancho Palos Verdes
- Introductory Freedive-Spearfishing, Los AngelesSat, Oct 25Los Angeles
- Private Freedive-Spearfishing, Santa BarbaraSun, Oct 26Santa Barbara